Apparatus for installing septic tanks and cesspools



g- 26, 1969 o. M. LOKENSGAARD 3,462,

APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING SEPTIC TANKS AND CES SPQQLS Fiied Nov. 13, 1967 INVEN'IOR. OTTO M. LOKENSGAARD BY '0' ,zzmau Ar/amen United States Patent US. Cl. 52-127 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Successive circular rows of concrete blocks are placed in an end-to-end relationship and one above the other on a lower circular ring having an angular cross section so that the horizontal flange thereof underlies the lower surface of the bottom row and the vertical flange confronts a portion of the outer surface of the bottom row. A second ring identical to the first ring is placed on the upper surface of the top row of concrete blocks with its horizontal flange overlying the supper surface of the top row and its vertical flange confronting an outer portion of said top row. A plurality of identical hook units are angularly spaced at the bottom and a similar number are angularly spaced at the top, the lower hook units having jaws that underlie the lower ring and bottom row and the upper hook units having jaws that overlie the upper ring and top row. Each hook unit is formed with a vertical passage or bore through which extend opposite end of an elongated rod, there being a rod for each pair of lower and upper hook units. By means of a clamping nut threadedly engaged with each projecting end of each rod, the jaws can be pulled together to provide the necessary clamping force which prevents the individual blocks from shifting due to lateral pressure. The concrete blocks can be stacked one above the other at the ground level and then the soil removed from the interior of the cylindrical configuration constituting the septic tank or cesspool, thereby lowering all of the blocks as a single unit. Also, the person installing the tank has the choice of digging a small excavation and then removing soil to lower the assemblage of blocks. Cave-ins and dislodgements of the concrete blocks is thereby obviated during installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to apparatus for installing septic tanks and cesspools.

Description of the prior art There are still many areas in our country where municipal sewer systems do not exist. Therefore, individual sewage systems have been devised for each residence, particularly in rural and lake regions. Conventional sewage systems for individual use have in the past employed either a septic tank and drain field combination or a septic tank and cesspool combination. Although the septic tank and drain field combination has met with more extensive adoption, in each individual system that has been alluded to, excavations must be made for the septic tank and where a cesspool is also utilized, then a separate excavation must be made for the accommodation of the cesspool.

While the excavation could be made large enough to assure that there would be no cave-ins or lateral pressure "ice exerted against the individual concrete blocks constituting either the septic tank or cesspool, this is not a practical solution because the individual sewage systems are usually installed one at a time and the making of an excavation oversize requires more time and manual effort. In other words, the individual sewage system is usually installed by hand digging, a man resorting to a conventional shovel, and therefore the removal of any earth or soil that is not necessary only raises the cost of the installation. In the past, it has been customary to arrange the concrete blocks in an excavation that has been dug to its fullest depth. However, such a procedure has resulted in cave-ins and the worker is constantly in danger. Also, if there is any increase in pressure exerted against certain of the concrete blocks, they are apt to shift and even a slight shift can ruin the construction, an appreciable shift of course allowing those concrete blocks laid thereabove to tumble and thus further endanger the worker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal object of the present invention is to avoid the danger of cave-ins and to also minimize the cost of installing septic tanks or cesspools. More specifically, the invention envisages the clamping of the various rows of concrete blocks so that the rows and individual blocks constituting each row are not likely to shift, even though relatively large forces are imposed thereon. In this regard, it can be explained that the dissipation of the septic eflluent is most readily achieved where the soil is permeant. However, soil that possesses this desirable characteristic is usually composed of sand and gravel which is the most apt to shift and cause the cave-ins that the instant invention seeks to avoid. Therefore, there is a very real need for a meethod and apparatus of the type hereinafter described.

Another object of the invention is to install septic tanks and cesspools in an economical manner. In this regard, it is an aim of the invention to avoid having to remove any more soil than is absolutely necessary.

Another object of the invention is to permit the facile removal of most of the parts comprising the clamps that are utilized during the installation procedure. Thus, for the most part, the parts that are employed in clamping the concrete blocks together can be retrieved and used over and over aagin, thereby encouraging their widespread use by not having to leave them in the particular installation.

Consequently, the invention includes the ready clamping of stacked concrete blocks together and lowering the clamped blocks as a unit to whatever depth is necessary for the proper functioning of the particular individual sewage system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a septic tank in the process of being installed, and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, a workman having been added.

As can readily be discerned from FIGURE 2, the septic tank that has been selected for illustrating the invention comprises a plurality of rows or tiers labeled lfla-i, each row 10 being composed of individual concrete blocks 12 arranged end-to-end and in a staggered relationship with respect to the row immediately above or below to form a generally cylindrical wall structure. For the purpose of allowing the sewage to enter the finished septic tank, there is an inlet hole 14 (FIGURES 1 and 2) formed in one of the 3 blocks 12 and a second such hole 16 (FIGURE 1) at the opposite side will ultimately accommodate the outlet pipe. It should be stressed that While the invention is being described in conjunction with a septic tank, it will find equal utility where cesspools are to be incorporated into the individual sewage system.

It is planned that the bottom row a will be held in a clamped condition with the top row 101'. The clamping apparatus for achieving the holding of the various rows together and applying compressive forces thereto includes a pair of identical circular rings 20, each having a vertical flange a and a horizontal flange 20b. As can be seen from FIGURE 2, the vertical flange 20a of the lower ring 20 confronts the lower outer surface of the bottom row 10a, the corresponding flange of the upper ring 20 confronts the upper outer surface of the top row 10:. The horizontal flange 20b of the lower ring 20 underlies a portion of a lower surface of the various blocks 12 constituting the bottom row 10a, and the horizontal flange 20b of the upper ring 20 overlies a portion of the upper surface of the top row 101.

The clamping apparatus further includes a plurality of hook units 22. As best understood from FIGURE 1, six such units 22 have been angularly disposed in a spaced relationship about the upper ring 20, and a similar number have been placed beneath the lower ring 20, some of which appear in FIGURE 2. As will later be pointed out, the number of pairs of hook units 22 is susceptible to variation. Obviously, the bottom units 22 are most readily located before any of the blocks 12 are laid which form the lowermost row 10a. In other words, the units 22 at the bottom in FIGURE 2 would be first located and after the various rows 10a-i have been laid one above the other, then the upper units 22 are placed in position as illustrated in FIGURE 1. Obviously, the particular number of rows can be varied depending upon the capacity of the particular tank. Also, the diameter of the tank will be selected in accordance with its volumetric content. These are practical considerations and form no part of the present invention.

Describing now each hook unit 22 in detail, it will be appreciated that a vertical strip 22a is provided and that a horizontal flange 22b extends generally perpendicularly therefrom. The horizontal flange 22b terminates in a tip section 22c that is parallel to the strip 22a. Although it is contemplated that the hook units 22 in certain instances will be cast, for the sake of description it will be assumed that the various portions thereof are welded in the pictured situation. Consequently, the generally horizontal flange 22b is welded to the vertical strip 22a and the tip section 220 can be melded to the distal end of the flange 22b. While the flange 22b has been referred to as being a generally horizontal or perpendicular flange, it is of advantage to have the flange canted or disposed at a slightly lesser angle than 90 with the strip 22a preferably a slope of somewhat over X inch per inch of flange length (usually about or inch total). Also, it will be perceived that a reinforcing gusset 22d is welded between the strip 22a and the flange 22b. Hence, the somewhat less than right angle is formed between the flange 22b and the portion of the strip 22a opposite the gusset 22d. The book unit 22 in each instance further includes a tube or pipe 22:; that is segmentally welded to the side of the strip 22a opposite the side to which the flange 22b and the gusset 22d are welded. As can be easily discerned from FIGURE 2, the tube or pipe 222 has a passage or bore 22 that extends completely therethrough.

Continuing with the description of the clamping apparatus, it should now be appreciated that each pair of hook units 22, referring to the lower and upper hook units that are vertically aligned with each other as a pair, have an elongated rod 24 associated therewith. The intermediate or shank portion of each rod 24 has been labeled 24a and the end sections, which are threaded, have been given the reference numeral 24b in each instance. As already indicated, the number of rows is susceptible to variation and would be selected in accordance with the size of tank. Hence, the length of rod 24 will be determined by the number of rows and also by the height of the blocks in each row. At any rate, the threaded end sections 24b would extend below and above the oppositely directed ends of the tubes 22a. Each rod 24 has a nut 26 threadedly engaging the lower end 24b and the upper end 24b. Actually, the lower end of the rod 4 could be provided with an integral hexagonal head, thereby converting the rod to a relatively long bolt, but since the rod stock is easily procurable in the requisite sizes, usually one half inch diameter being satisfactory, it is more practical to resort to nuts 26 at the bottom and at the top.

Having presented the foregoing information, the manner in which the septic tank depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2 is installed will now be described. To facilitate the description, the surface or level of the ground has been given the reference numeral 28. The excavation itself has been assigned the reference numeral 30 and as will presently appear this excavation becomes progressively deeper. The bottom of the excavation 30 has been labeled 32, a pocket or trench being identified as 32a which will be described more fully hereinafter. The soil or earth that is laterally disposed wtih respect to the septic tank has been designated by the reference numeral 34 and it will be observed that it is composed of a considerable amount of sand and gravel and to some extent with rather large rocks or boulders. The earth that has been removed from the excavation 30 and which has been tossed up and over the upper edge of the tank has been given the reference numeral 36, actually constituting individual piles 36a, 36b and 360. To complete the installation picture, a worker or human digger 38 has been shown and it is by a shovel 40 that the excavation 30 is made progressively deeper.

Although the method of actually installing the septic tank should be manifest from the description that has been given up to this point, nonetheless a detailed explanation from this point on should be of assistance in appreciating the benefits to be derived from a practising of the invention. Initially, the lower ring 20 is laid either on the ground level 28, or if a small excavation has already been made. Then on the bottom 32. It will be assumed for the sake of discussion that an excavation has been made to the extent or depth shown in FIG- URE 2. Thus, with the lower ring 20 on the bottom 32, the worker 38 places at spaced angular locations the lowermost hook units 22 so that the jaws 22 composed of the horizontal flange 22b and the tip section 22c in each instance underlies the horizontal flange 20b of the bottom ring 20.

Having done this, everything is in readiness for laying the first row 10a of concrete blocks 12. After the circular row 10a has been laid, then the next row 10b is laid thereon but with the individual blocks 12 staggered with respect to those constituting the row 10a. This action is repeated until all of the rows have been stacked to the extent that is required for the ultimate capacity of the tank. It is then that the upper ring 30 is placed over the upper row 10i so that its horizontal flange 20b rests on a portion of the upper surface of the top row 10:, the vertical flange 20a confronting an outer portion of said row 10i.

It is preferable that the rods 24 have their lower ends 24b inserted initially into the bores 22f of the tubes 22e belonging to the bottom hook units 22 and the lower nuts 26 as applied. When the upper hook units 22 are later put in place, the upper ends 24b of the rods 24 project thereabove and are in readiness for having the upper nuts 26 applied. Tightening of the upper nuts 26 provide the requisite compressive forces, these forces being transmitted via the jaws of the various units 22 through the rings 20 against those portions of the bottom and top surfaces of the rows a and 101, respectively, confronted by the flanges 20b. It will be recalled that the flanges 22b are canted somewhat (about A: or 7 and this tends to rock the blocks 12 inwardly to a slight degree which is desirable as the intervening blocks are forced more tightly together as a result of such action.

The worker 38 then proceeds to remove soil from the bottom 32, digging pockets or trenches 32a and throwing the removed soil over the top row 10: so that it falls in piles at the upper edge of the excavation 30. These piles have been arbitrarily designated as 36a, 36b and 360.

The removal of earth from the bottom 32 continues until the entire assemblage of blocks that are held together as a unit by the apparatus 18 is lowered to the depth that the sewage system requires. The pockets or trenches 32a are dug at angular locations so that the weight of the blocks 12 and the clamping apparatus composed of the rings 20, the hooks 22 and rods 24 literally cause the septic tank to settle. As far as septic tanks are concerned, these tanks are not embedded to quite the depth that some cesspools are sunk, but nonetheless the danger of cave-ins is constantly present.

To more vividly portray how a cave-in has been apt to occur in the past, the lateral soil labeled 34 has been shown with a rock or boulder 34a contained therein. Obviously, though, where soil is comprised of sand and gravel, such soil tends to shift very easily. However, where a large rock, such as that indicated by the reference numeral 34a, is present, a shift of such a rock can occur so abruptly that a tremendous amount of force is suddenly applied to the outer surface of the various rows Illa-i, especially the lower rows such as 10b, 10c and 10d. Any such force will dislodge the individual blocks 12, unless restrained, from their vertically arrayed relationship, and if the force is severe enough, the blocks 12 that are subjected to the pressure applied by the rock 34a'would be pushed inwardly and the remaining blocks 12 would then tumble down into the excavation 30. This has been the situation in the past. However, where the rows 10a-i have been securely clamped together, the compressive forces exerted by the clamping apparatus will resist any tendency for the blocks to shift laterally with respect to each other. Those persons familiar with presently employed installation procedures will recognize, and will be able to select properly, that the number of hook units 22 will depend on the condition of the soil, the depth, the tank size, the size of blocks, etc. Solely as a rough guide, a septic tank having a 17 foot circumference and utilizing 20 x 7% x 3 /2 inch blocks with a depth of five feet under the cover would require eight pairs of hook units 22, that is eight rods 24a. On the other hand, a cesspool having the same circumference, but seven feet under the cover should have ten pairs of hook units. Naturally, of the installation is being made in a heavy rock bed, more clamps are needed than in rock-free soil, and therefore, the exact number of hook units 22 will depend on a number of factors, including those listed herein. Hence, the amount of force that must be exerted in order to cause a cave-in and probable injury to the worker 38 is indeed minimized and in most instances completely eliminated when practicing the teachings of my invention.

Since septic tanks and cesspools are installed in rural communities and frequently in remote locations, the utilization of power equipment for digging the excavation, such as the excavation 30, is not ordinarily practical. Not only does the power equipment have to be transported for relatively great distances but the time during which the equipment is made use of is minimal. This accounts for the large-scale use of manual labor in installing septic tanks and cesspools. However, because the permeant soil in which a septic tank or cesspool functions most effectively is the type of soil that is most apt to cave in, dangers are constantly present and this invention avoids such dangers, thereby making the installation of septic tanks and cesspools quite safe. Where power equipment is available, say, a backhoe, it will be appreciated that the shovel is at times apt to strike the concrete blocks 12. Without my clamping apparatus the blocks thus hit can be dislodged with a concomitant collapse of the entire structure. Therefore, my invention will also find utility even where power equipment is resorted to.

I claim:

1. In a septic tank or cesspool installation system in which concrete blocks are stacked one above the other and in an end-to-end relation in each row to form a generally cylindrical wall structure, clamping apparatus engaging a portion of the lower surface of the bottom row and a portion of the upper surface of the top row for applying compressive forces against said surface portions and thereby cause the blocks constituting said rows to be clamped together and thereby resist lateral shifting relative to each other, said clamping apparatus including a circular ring member having an angular cross-section providing a horizontal flange extending inwardly to an intermediate location over an upper surface portion of said top row and having a vertical flange extending downwardly so as to confront the upper outer surface of said top row, a plurality of upper hook units disposed inwardly of said top row and each having a vertical bore therethrough and an outwardly directed jaw in an engagement with angularly spaced portions of said ring member, a rod member extending downwardly through each of said bores within said cylindrical wall structure, each rod having an upwardly projecting threaded end section, and a nut on each threaded end section, said clamping apparatus further including a bottom circular ring member underlying said bottom row and respective hook units connected to the lower ends of said rod members and engaging said bottom ring member, whereby tightening of said nuts produces said compressive forces.

2. In a septic tank or cesspool installation system in which concrete blocks are stacked one above the other and in an end-to-end relation in each row to form a generally cylindrical wall structure, a first circular ring having an angular cross-section providing a horizontal flange directed inwardly under said bottom row and providing an upwardly directed vertical flange confronting the lower outer surface of said bottom row, a second circular flange having an angular cross-section providing a horizontal flange extending inwardly over an upper surface portion of said top row and having a vertical flange extending downwardly so as to confront the upper outer surface of said top row, a plurality of lower hook units each comprising an elongated tubular member providing a vertical bore extending therethrough and an outwardly directed jaw near the lower end of its said tubular member constituting a generally horizontal flange sloping upwardly at a slightly lesser angle than with respect to the longitudinal axis of its associated tubular member and engaging angularly spaced portions of said ring member, a plurality of upper hook units each comprising an elongated tubular member providing a vertical bore extending therethrough and an outwardly directed jaw near the upper end of its said tubular member constituting a generally horizontal flange sloping downwardly at a slightly lesser angle than 90 with respect to the longitudinal axis of its associated tubular member and engaging angularly spaced portions of the second ring member, the upper hook units being vertically aligned with said lower hook units, a rod member extending through the bores of each pair of vertically aligned hook units, each of said rods having projecting threaded end sections, and a nut on each threaded end section, whereby tightening of the upper nuts produces compressive forces against said upper and lower surface portions to cause said block constituting said rows to be clamped together and thereby resist lateral shifting relative to each other.

3. In the septic tank or cesspool installation system of 7 8 claim 2 in which said hook flanges have a slope equal to 2,166,632 7/1939 Hardesty et a1 5221 X approximately 2 inch per flange length- I 2,360,285 10/1944 Sherman 52747 4. In the septic tank or cesspool installation system of 2,716,864 9 /1955 Hacker 61 15 claim 2 in which each flange has a tip section extending generally parallel to the axis of said tubular member. 5 FRANK L. ABBOTT, p i Examiner References Cited P. C. FAW, JR., Assistant Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS S 1 1,166,937 1/1916 H 52227 X 52 21 1 9 227 245 742; 1 1

1,557,523 10/ 1925 Hahn 52---227X 10 

